Cafes with Instagram-worthy eats

Published on 21 Aug 2019.

Singapore is home to a multitude of dishes that are a feast for both the eyes and the stomach. At these five-Instagram-worthy cafes, you’ll get to delight your taste buds, hone your skills in food photography, and share the experience with your friends online.

1. The Glasshouse

Getting your java fix has never looked this good. Situated in the lush greenery of CHIJMES, The Glasshouse is a haven for coffee-lovers looking to unwind amidst the urban bustle.

Besides its artisanal toasts and pastries, the café is a great way to experience our buzzing local café scene. The line-up of coffees served here changes every month, with brews occasionally featuring a selection of local roasters.

We suggest pairing your cuppa with their open-faced toasts. These baked goods come in a range of flavours, and look as good as they taste.

With its minimalist décor, abundance of natural light and garden-like interior, the café also boasts ample space to snap a variety of shots for your ‘gram.

Photo tip: Make full use of the natural lighting here by snagging a spot by the window. If you’re there in the late afternoon, experiment with the existing shadows, for a partially illuminated photo that possesses both depth and contrast.

2. Wild Blooms

As you’d have guessed from this establishment’s name, flower power takes centre stage at Wild Blooms.

This floral-themed, two-storey café boasts a beautiful interior inspired by nature and filled with rustic touches, and the dishes served here employ the same motifs. You’ll want to save space for desserts like the rose apple pie and the flower tea jelly cake.

The latter is intricately moulded to resemble a flower, and its subtle sweetness makes it a great choice even for foodies who tend to skip dessert.

Photo tip: If you’re shooting a spread of the sweet treats here, the flower tea jelly cake’s vibrant hue makes it a great focal point. Use the focus function on your iPhone to establish a depth of field that adds interest to your shot.

3. The White Rabbit

With a name that evokes Lewis Carroll’s classic yarn—Alice in Wonderland—this beautiful café is a great location for an Instagram-worthy brunch.

Set in a restored colonial chapel, the restaurant’s interior hearkens back to the days of the British Empire, with its stained glass windows and classic European fare.

The brunch menu consists primarily of both hearty staples for heavy eaters—like wagyu quarter pounder burgers and lobster linguine—as well as light nosh like avocado toast.

Be sure to save space for the crepe suzette—a decadent dessert that’s lit on fire as a charming tableside performance.

Photo Tip: With such a beautiful space, framing is key. Incorporate both the foreground and the background to give a better context to your food photography. Their outdoor garden and bar is a popular place for both OOTDs and couple shots.

4. Chin Sin Huan

Retro design meets sleek modernity at this second-generation café, which is decked out with traditional chairs, pink walls and Instagram-worthy interiors. The result is a beautiful contrast of old and new that makes for striking photo opportunities.

The local delights served here are handmade on a daily basis—To expand your palette with a taste of Asia, we suggest sampling their Lor Mai Kai (Glutinous Chicken Rice), Fan Choy (barbequed pork belly with glutinous rice), or traditional dim sum (bite-sized portions of food served in steamer baskets or small plates).

Photo tip: Shoot from a 45-degree angle, which provides for a more evocative and naturalistic presentation.

5. Sinpopo Brand

With its grilled storefront, tiled floors and rattan chairs, Sinpopo Brand is an ode to Singapore in the 80s.

While the café’s décor is undoubtedly nostalgic, the food served here is made with an eye towards both modern innovation and traditional rigour—Their nasi lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk, served with an array of side dishes) rice is steamed in a muslin cloth, and the coffee is made Nanyang-style (southern coastal region of China, but also commonly used to refer to the ethnic Chinese population of Southeast Asia) with a kopi sock.

Desserts are a must for foodies with a sweet tooth, as their cakes are inspired by traditional desserts like ondeh ondeh (glutinous balls filled with palm sugar) and pulut hitam (black glutinous rice in coconut milk).

Photo tip: Incorporate props—The café is filled with interesting knick-knacks that you could borrow to add interest to your flat lays. Just be sure to return them to their original places when you’re done!